How to stop or reduce a stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder. People who stutter may repeat sounds, syllables, or words, or they may prolong sounds. There may also be interruptions to the normal flow of speech, known as blocks, along with unusual expressions or movements.

Stuttering affects more than 70 million people worldwide, including more than 3 million people in the United States. It is more common among men than women. Some people refer to stuttering as stammering or childhood onset fluency disorder.

Approximately 5–10% of all children will stutter at some point in their lives, but most will typically outgrow this within a few months or years. Early intervention can help children overcome stuttering.

For 1 in 4 of these children, however, the problem will persist into adulthood and can become a lifelong communication disorder.

In this article, we describe strategies that people who stutter can use to try to reduce these speech disruptions. We also list ways in which parents and caregivers can help children overcome a stutter.

Quick tips for reducing stuttering

A person can read aloud at a slow pace to reduce stress around speaking.

There is no instant cure for stuttering. However, certain situations — such as stress, fatigue, or pressure — can make stuttering worse. By managing these situations, as far as possible, people may be able to improve their flow of speech.

With this in mind, the following tips may be useful:

Practice speaking slowly

Speaking slowly and deliberately can reduce stress and the symptoms of a stutter. It can be helpful to practice speaking slowly every day.

For example, people could try reading aloud at a slow pace when they are on their own. Then, when they have mastered this, they can use this pace when speaking to others.

Another option is to add a brief pause between phrases and sentences to help slow down speech.

Avoid trigger words

People who stutter should not feel as though they have to stop using particular words if this is not their preference.

However, some people may wish to avoid specific words that tend to cause them to stammer. In this case, it might be helpful to make a list of these words and find alternatives to use.

Try mindfulness

Mindfulness is a proven way to reduce anxiety and stress. Research suggests that there is an overlap between the effects of mindfulness and the tools necessary for stuttering management, including:

decreased use of avoidance strategies, such as speaking less

improved emotional control

acceptance

According to the authors of a 2018 case study, adding mindfulness meditation to a treatment program for stuttering may be beneficial for some people.

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people change how they think and alter their behavior accordingly. CBT for stuttering may involve:

direct communication

educating the person about stuttering

humming

problem solving

exercises to extend the length of sounds

relaxation techniques, including deep breathing

challenging unhelpful thoughts

CBT may lead to positive changes in thoughts and attitudes around stuttering and reduce stuttering-related anxiety.

Electronic devices

Electronic devices are available to help people manage their speech and improve their fluency. Some of these devices work by assisting people in slowing down their speech. Others mimic speech so that it sounds as though the person is talking in unison with someone else.

Stuttering causes

Researchers do not understand the exact cause of stuttering. Based on current knowledge, they typically class stuttering as one of the following types:

Developmental

Developmental stuttering is the most common type. It occurs in young children who are learning language skills. It is likely to be the result of multiple factors, including genetics.

Due to its genetic component, developmental stuttering can run in families. Approximately 60% of people who stutter have a family member who also stutters.

Neurogenic

Neurogenic stuttering can occur due to brain trauma, such as that resulting from a stroke or head injury. The brain then struggles to coordinate the mechanisms that speech involves.

Psychogenic

In the past, scientists believed that all stuttering was psychogenic, meaning that it was due to emotional trauma. Now, they consider this type of stuttering to be rare.

Can a stutter be cured?

There is no cure for stuttering, although early treatment may stop childhood stuttering from persisting into adulthood.

A variety of treatments can help those with a lifelong stutter manage their speech and reduce the frequency and severity of stuttering.

Outlook

Early intervention is important for children who stutter, most of whom will eventually outgrow it. About 25% will continue to experience stuttering throughout their adult lives, however.

While there is no cure for stuttering, speech therapy can be particularly effective in helping people gain control over their speech. CBT and mindfulness interventions may also help with some aspects of stuttering.

Researchers are continuing to explore the causes of stuttering and potential treatment options. In time, they may be able to identify the children who are more likely to continue stuttering in adulthood.

If scientists can understand the underlying cause of stuttering, they may be able to identify more effective medications or other treatments.